News

Kevin Seaward Records Commonwealth Games Standard in Berlin

25 September 2017

Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC / Andrew Hobdell) became the fourteenth local athlete to secure a Commonwealth Games 2018 standard as he clocked an impressive 2:15:50 at yesterday’s Berlin Marathon (Sunday 24th September 2017).

His finish time was well inside the required 2:16:30 marathon standard and is the second quickest time Kevin has run over the classic distance; his 2:14:52 personal best was also run over the notoriously fast Berlin course in 2015.

Despite the wet and humid conditions, Kevin looked on target throughout, as he produced a well-paced effort, going through 10k in 32:24,13.1 miles in 1:07:55 and onwards towards the finish line, which he crossed in 2:15:50 (19th place).

Kilkeel based Laura, winner of the Belfast City Marathon earlier this year, slashed a massive four minutes and forty-one seconds off her previous best as she crossed the line in 2:37:05 (14th place). Gladys, winner of the recent Rock N’Roll Half Marathon, clocked 2:37:55 (15th place), taking fifty-two seconds off her previous 26.2 mile best.

The qualification window for the Commonwealth Games 2018 closes at midnight on 30th September 2017.

Elsewhere this weekend…

Northern Ireland 10,000m and 5,000m Champion Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) came a close second to former European XC Champion Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole AC) at the Blackrock 4 mile road race (Saturday 23rd September 2017). Fionnuala broke the tape in 21:04 (1st place), with Emma following in an excellent 21:21 for 2nd place.

The Oxford University student, who faced a talent laden field, clocked an impressive 30:38 in less than favourable conditions. This bettered his previous best by fourteen seconds and was enough to see Eoghan finish in 5th place. He will now focus his attention on the London Marathon in April 2018.

In Dublin, Ballydrain Harriers athlete Denise Logue (Paul Pollock) secured a podium place at the Dublin City Half Marathon (Saturday 23rd September 2017), which is part of the Dublin Marathon Series. Denise claimed 3rd place at the Dublin Half Marathon in a personal best of 1:24:38.